PHILISA ABAFAZI BETHU, name is deriving from one of our 9 languages of South Africa which means HEAL OUR WOMEN. Founder member and Director Lucinda Evans saw this great need for a women’s development program to be started up in the greater Lavender Hill community which is 30 km from the Cape Town city centre on the Cape Flats. This community has a population of over 40 000 people which more than 60% of this population is unemployed. Most of the population is women and also more than 50% of the women are unemployed but also single mothers. This community has history of violence, and crime presently has the high rate of gender violence, high family violence, high child abuse rate, and also high HIV infection rate. The crime rates have also soared because of high drug consumption of Chrystal meth, house brake in has escalated and common assault.

The organization’s main objectives are:

1. To provide a safe space, support and educating women, and children who are victims of sexual, domestic and family violence about their rights, to be able to live freely and without fear.

2. To provide support for women, young girls and children who are infected and affected with HIV/AIDS, TB and STI, through education focussing on literacy so that these individuals will be able to live productive lives without fear of stigma and discrimination.

3. To assist women to become entrepreneurs through income generating activities, for example Arts and Crafts.